The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia has just announced an increase in funding for the following two years.
This morning, Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield announced an increased in funding for community radio totalling $6.1m over two years.
This extra funding is targeted at digital broadcasting (1.9m in 2017/18 and $2m in 2018/19) and to support stations affected by the reorganisation of the 803-960 MHz radio frequency band ($2.2m).
The additional funding for digital radio comes at a critical period for the sector and will assist to maintain metropolitan digital radio services and the planned extension of digital radio to Canberra, Darwin and Hobart. The sector will need this increased level of funding on an ongoing basis to support regional expansion of digital radio and we appreciate the Government’s commitment to supporting these next steps.
The provision of funding to support a large number of regional and metropolitan community radio stations directly affected by the reorganisation of the 803-960 MHz radio frequency band will assist in covering the hard costs associated with this transition and alleviate pressure on these community-owned, not-for-profit organisations. This support is especially critical for regional and rural community stations in maintaining essential infrastructure.
The CBAA has requested all supporters of Community Radio who are on Twitter to:If you’re on Twitter, can you please tweet your thanks to Minister Mitch Fifield @SenatorFifield? Make sure to use the #keepcommunityradio hashtag.
